Safety closure



y 20, 1952 B. ELKIND 2,597,307

sAFm Y CLOSURE Filed Aug. 5, 1950 BERT/PAM E L KIA/0,

INVENTOR.

HUE'BNER, BEEHLER, WORREL, g HERZ/G A rroRAm s.

Patented May 2%, 1952 piro STATES PATENT orrics SAFETY CLOSURE Bertram Elkind, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 5, 1950, Serial No. 177,891

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to container closures and more particularly to a screw type container closure which may be removed from the container only by following special instructions concerning the unscrewing operation.

For many purposes, it is desirable that certain personsnotably small childrenbe hindered in their ability to open containers. This is especially true of containers containing poisonous or otherwise harmful contents which a child might swallow. It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved closure for a container which may be operated only by persons having given instructions and skill.

It is another object of this invention to provide -a closure which may be applied to the conventional screw type container neck thereby obviating the necessity for a special container and neck.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a closure having means for discouraging unauthorized persons such as children in their idle attempts to open the container.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent in the following specification, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the instant closure screwed onto a conventional container;

Figure 2 is a View taken along line 22 of Figure l, the closure proper being in section;

Figure 3 is a view taken along line 33 of Figure 2, with the external cap being in section and the internal cap being unsectioned;

Figure 4 is a developed view of the external circumferential surface of the internal cap of the instant closure.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the closure mounted on the neck l2 of a container l3. As best seen in Figure 2, closure comprises an internal cap it having internal threads Hi engaging the threads H on the container neck I2. An external cap it is mounted coaxially circumjacent the internal cap M with sufficient clearance so that the cap l8 may be freely rotated around the cap It. The two caps I4 and Hi are secured in engagement by a circumferential pinand-groove connection consisting of an annular groove 59 in the exterior surface of the internal cap it and an engaging The external cap I8 preventing axial movement and separation between the two caps.

On the external surface of the internal cap M are provided a plurality of grooves 22 communicating with the annular groove I9 and spaced around the cap M. The grooves 22 are slanted away from the groove H] as shown. While these grooves may slant either up toward the top of the closure or down toward therim thereof, it is preferred to slant them as shown. It is also preferred to maintain a relatively small angle of slant between each groove 22 and the groove l9, preferably less than 10 degrees, for a purpose which will be pointed out hereinafter. One of the grooves 22 has an offset portion 23 at its upper end as best seen in Figure 4. This groove is thus somewhat in the form of a J -slot.

It will be noted that the grooves 22 are directed in such direction that should the pin 2| be moved into any of them it will, upon reaching the end of the groove, provide interlocking between the external cap I8 and the internal cap M, of such nature that the closure I I can only be screwed onto the neck I2 and can not be unscrewed from the neck. Any unscrewing action attempted by the user holding the external cap l8 simply causes the pin 2| to ride downwardly out of the groove 22 into which it was engaged and then to merely slide freely around and around in the groove l9.

Unscrewing (as opposed to screwing) engagement between the caps l8 and I4 is provided only through the medium of the offset portion 23 in which the pin 2| may be engaged only by unique and proper manipulation of the external cap I8. When such manipulation has been efiected, the pin 2| abuts the remote end of the offset portion 23 and the caps l8 and M are then in unscrewing engagement so that the closure may be unscrewed from the neck I 2.

A small child upon picking up the container l3 with the cap screwed thereon will idly turn the external cap l8 around and around one way or the other. Since there is no interlocking between the external cap l8 and the internal cap M, the closure is not unscrewed from the neck I2. The pin 2| simply rides freely in the groove l9. Should the child tire of turning the cap l8 idly, and should he begin to experiment by engaging the pin 2| in one of the grooves 22, he will upon striking the dead end 24 of one of the blind grooves 22, only-interlock the caps in screwing engagement so that the. closure is further tightened on the neck l2. This willfurther discour age his attempt to open the container, and should he by chance engage the pin M in the proper groove 22 which has the offset portion 23, the probability is that he will, merely back the pin 2I out of the groove 22 and into the groove I9, as he did before with the grooves having the dead end 24.

Should a user engage the pin 2| in one of the dead end grooves 22, and then back the pin out (unscrew the external cap I8), and at the same time pull up on the cap I8, then there will be frictional engagement between the pin 2| and the upper surface of the slanted groove. Unless the slant angle is quite small, there is danger that the friction may be sufficient to apply enough torque to the internal cap I4 to unscrew the same from the neck I2. For that reason it is desirable to keep the slant angle between groove I9 and grooves 22 under 10 degrees.

To indicate to an adult how the container should be opened, the internal cap I4 is provided at its lower edge with an index in the form of a tab 26 extending below the rim of the external cap I8 so as to be visible with the closure II screwed onto the neck I2. The tab 26 is positioned immediately below the entrance or mouth of the proper groove 22 as best seen in Figure 4.

A second index is provided on the exterior of the external cap I8. This index assumes the form of the exterior surface of the pin 2| protruding to the surface of the cap I8 as seen in Figure 2.

To further instruct the adult user, there is indented, painted or otherwise marked on the exterior of the cap I8 a mark 21 in the form of a tipped J, corresponding in shape to the correct groove 22-23 which is the unscrewing, or opening, groove for the closure I I.

To unscrew the closure I I, the adult user turns the external cap I8 around the cap I4 until the head of the pin 2I is in registry immediately above the protruding tab 26 on the cap I4. He then turns the cap I8 up and around so as to cause the pin 2I to follow a path indicated by the index 21. Thisalthough the user can not see itcauses the pin 2| to follow the proper groove 22 to its end and then back upwardly into the ofiset portion 23. Continued unscrewing motion brings the caps I8 and I4 into interlocking engagement so that the closure II may be unscrewed from the neck I2.

In replacing the cap it is merely necessary to screw it on in conventional fashion and then unscrew the cap I8 slightly with the pin 2I riding downwardly in the groove 22 into the annular groove I9. The cap is then in position free from danger of opening except by persons sufficiently skilled and informed to follow the correct opening instructions.

If desired, the central portion of the external cap I8 may be cut away as shown at 28 since the actual closing of the container I3 is effected by the top of the internal cap I4.

Also, if desired, the top portion 29 of the internal cap I4 may be indented downwardly as shown in Figure 2 to provide a somewhat better seal at the internal edges 3| of the neck I2.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in what appears to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of thi invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details dis.- closed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

The instant invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound; a circumferential pin and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap; said one cap also having a plurality of grooves communicating with said annular groove, spaced around said annular groove, and slanted toward the top of the closure at an angle of less than 10, one of said slanted grooves having an offset portion at its end into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps; a first index on said internal cap; and a second index on the exterior of said external cap corresponding in shape to said one of said slanted grooves, registration of said indexes indicating that said :pin is opposite said one slanted groove.

7 2. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck; an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and. rotatable therearound; a circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap; said one cap also having a plurality of grooves communicating with said annular groove, spaced around said annular groove, and slanted with respect thereto; one of said slanted grooves having an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps; a first index on said internal cap; and a second index on the exterior of said external cap corresponding in shape to said one of said slanted grooves, registration of said indexes indicatin that said pin is opposite said one slanted groove.

3. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck; an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound; and a circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap; said one cap also having a plurality of grooves communicating with said annular groove, spaced around said annular groove, and slanted with respect thereto at an angle of less than 10; one of said slanted grooves having an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps.

4. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck; an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound; and a circumferential piWand-groove connection between said caps consisting of an. annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap; said one cap also having a plurality of grooves communicating with said annular groove, spaced around said annular groove, and slanted with respect thereto; one of said slanted grooves having an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps.

5. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap-and rotatable therearound, a' circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap, said one cap also having a second groove communicating at one end with said annular groove and slanted toward the top of the closure at an angle of less than 10, said second groove having an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps, a first index on said internal cap, and a second index on the exterior of said external cap corresponding in shape to said second groove, registration of said indexes indicating that said pin is opposite said one end of said second groove.

6. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound, a circumferential pinand-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap, said one cap also having a second groove communicating at one end with said annular groove and slanted with respect thereto at an angle of less than 10", said second groove having an ofiset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps, a first index on said internal cap, and a second index on the exterior of said external cap corresponding in shape to said second groove, registration of said indexes indicating that said pin is opposite said one end of said second groove.

7. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound, a circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap, said one cap also having a second groove communicating at one end with said annular groove and slanted with respect thereto, said second groove having an ofiset portion at the other end into which said pin may be moved to provide inter- 6 locking between said caps, a first index on said internal cap, and a second index on the exterior of said external cap corresponding in shape to said second groove, registration of said indexes indicating that said pin is opposite said one end of said second groove.

8,A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound, and a circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one cap and an engaging pin secured in the other cap, said one cap also having a second groovecommunicating at one end with said annular groove and slanted with respect thereto at an angle of less than 10, said second groovehaving an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps.

9. A closure comprising, in combination, an internal cap having internal threads adapted to engage the threads of a container neck, an external cap coaxially circumjacent said internal cap and rotatable therearound, and a circumferential pin-and-groove connection between said caps consisting of an annular groove in one can and an engaging pin secured in the other cap, said one cap also having a second groove communicating at one end with said annular groove and slanted with respect thereto, said second groove having an offset portion into which said pin may be moved to provide interlocking between said caps.

BERTRAM ELKIND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

